Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to remove the gray wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species. Under the proposal, state wildlife management agencies would resume responsibility for gray wolves in states where these wolves occur. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. has been calling for state management of wolves for years. He issued the following statement:

“Wolves have been an issue Wyoming has had to contend with ever since the federal government decided to reintroduce them in our state. The problem is that for much of the time the states’ hands have been tied,” Enzi said.  “We’ve been back and forth on this issue for decades with the federal government and I’m sure environmental groups will want the conflict to continue, but I am pleased the momentum is with the states. Wyoming wildlife managers know best how to manage Wyoming’s wildlife, just as other state officials know how to best manage their wildlife resources.”